Funders’ pledge to include more older adults in research

NIHR has signed a joint statement alongside other major UK research funders, committing to greater inclusion of older adults in health and care research. This builds on our announcement in November 2024 that inclusion needs to be considered in all applications for our funding.

This move follows the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual 2023 report on healthy ageing, which highlighted that older people, particularly those living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC), are routinely underrepresented in clinical trials and research studies. This is despite multiple long-term conditions becoming increasingly common and something that many people in the population are likely to live with as they age. Isolating diseases for research purposes is not reflecting the reality of experience and treatment of an ageing population.

The underrepresentation of older people in research and clinical trials makes findings less relevant and less effective for the people who need them most. It can also contribute to inequalities in how healthcare is delivered, particularly as more people reach older age with complex health needs, with differences in healthy life expectancy across communities.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “Despite often having the highest levels of need, older adults are frequently left out of research that directly affects their care. This exclusion can lead to gaps in evidence, less effective treatments, and care that isn’t properly tailored to those who use services the most. As the population ages, it’s essential that research reflects the people it aims to serve.”

The joint statement sets out a shared commitment from the participating UK research funders to:

• actively support the inclusion of older adults in research,
• challenge unjustified exclusion, particularly where older adults have complex health conditions,
• and ensure that research is designed with equity in mind and better reflects the diversity of the UK

Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Chief Executive Officer of the NIHR, said: “The NIHR is proud to champion the inclusion of older people in research, recognising that their meaningful involvement enriches our understanding and enhances the relevance of findings to improve health outcomes and tackle health inequalities. We are pleased to stand alongside research funders across the UK in this joint statement, reaffirming our shared commitment to making research more inclusive, impactful, and reflective of all stages of life.”

The joint effort follows a roundtable discussion of research funders in 2024, where gaps in how older people are included in health and care research were discussed. The aim is to improve the quality of research while making it more inclusive, ensuring diverse representation of the public across various demographic groups and helping everyone in the UK age well. Including older people more routinely in research will lead to more effective, social and public health strategies and help improve quality of life as people age, ensuring that we support the health of the oldest members of society.